Ch.107107. Charlotte Ashelt (1)

All doubts have vanished, and it’s a day free from the playground of those blinded by money and entertainment.

As the tension that had built up finally released, my body naturally demanded rest.

“…Come to think of it, I haven’t even stopped the bleeding.”

While I might soon become accustomed to applying medicine and bandages to wounds on my waist, this injury is a stark reminder that I still have a long way to go.

It would be nice to fight one-on-one in every battle, but I know such favorable opportunities are rare.

Future battles will force me to face multiple opponents, so I should consider this as preparation.

Still, I’ve gained far more than I initially expected.

Though the academy students’ financial problems haven’t been resolved yet, Charlotte succeeded in stealing confidential documents today.

If we just wait a little longer, Tembris will naturally raid and dismantle the gambling den.

I’m not sure about the students’ financial difficulties, but at least their bodies won’t be damaged before the Shit Grand Purge. Octagon will disappear first.

Cain joining Tembris. The gambling den being raided. Resolving the students’ financial crisis.

Though one thing remains regrettable, at least nothing will turn out badly, so I’ve achieved all my goals, albeit clumsily.

“Sigh… The problem is what comes next.”

『Notice of Changes to Academy Completion Requirements』

The administration has notified all students of changes to the completion requirements.

For third-year students at the most significant turning point, several lectures have been left vacant due to the disappearance of professors and staff who had been bribed by the administration. These students have been given time to gain practical experience.

Time to gain practical experience. As a lecture, it’s quite appropriate and flawless. The same goes for the students.

If it were just about hunting monsters, now that they have money, they could hire mercenaries and clear them out with brute force…

But this matter wouldn’t be resolved so easily.

The most I had planned was to quickly resolve their tuition issues and preserve their strength. I hadn’t thought beyond that.

As I pondered what to do next while stroking my chin, someone spoke as if they had been waiting for me here.

“Senior Junon.”

It was Charlotte, who had changed into neat clothes.

“I came because I have something to say. I didn’t tell anyone else.”

Back then, both of us had to put on an act due to the circumstances, but now there’s no reason for conflict.

But from Junon’s perspective, he couldn’t simply ignore Charlotte.

‘Right. Come to think of it, the most important thing remains.’

It seemed I had become lax about wrapping up matters with Octagon due to the notification about changed completion requirements and the impending event.

While Charlotte has a justification for wanting to bring down the gambling den, I don’t.

Moreover, how could I hold my head high when there’s a record of an academy student personally participating in the arena held inside the gambling den?

Junon realized he had missed the most important thing and silently waited for her response.

Seeing an opportunity for dialogue, Charlotte quickly seized it.

“Would you like to stop by my villa?”

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

“…This.”

Charlotte pressed a handkerchief with concerned eyes to the spot where I had been cut by a sword today.

Though I was aware of the wound, I couldn’t focus on treating it while dealing with urgent matters, and now a deep red stain had seeped through my clothes.

“If you go back like this, you’ll raise suspicion.”

“…”

With the color of my clothes visibly changed by the prominent red stain, no one would miss it.

Someone would surely look at me with suspicious eyes, asking where I had been and how I got injured.

The bloodstained handkerchief wouldn’t leave the wound.

The same was true for Charlotte’s hand. Initially, she might have been trying to wipe away the blood, but now she seemed unwilling to let go of my arm.

“The villa is in a location that even the members don’t know well. If you rest there for a while, we can easily take care of your wound and wash your clothes.”

So she made an excuse. An excuse to have a little more conversation with Junon.

***

Charlotte Eshrelet. The skilled negotiator of Eshrelet Trading Company who handles Tembris’s information and business connections.

No matter what descriptor one uses, she’s undoubtedly someone I should keep at a distance.

But for now, I followed her advice. Because there was nothing to gain from antagonizing her in any way.

“I was worried the size might be uncomfortable, but I’m glad it’s not.”

And Charlotte is still being cautious. But that’s as far as the caution goes. It’s time to get to the point.

“I’ve granted all your wishes. Coming to the villa for treatment, resting while my clothes are being washed. And I’ve even played along with your other time-buying conversations. Isn’t it time for you to state your business?”

“…”

For a while, Charlotte stared at the innocent table, took a sip of tea, and then boldly met my eyes.

“May I ask why you participated in Octagon, the arena inside the gambling den?”

“Well. Was that related to me?”

“It’s not entirely unrelated. Because of this.”

The document Charlotte presented was an Octagon participation record.

I thought this document was just something to be submitted and forgotten, but… that wasn’t the case.

‘This… thinking about it carefully, the moment I submit it…’

My breath caught in my throat.

The purpose of this document was to provide a detailed profile of the participant.

With all the participants’ names clearly written, it would directly prove that I had visited the gambling den.

I thought I could just ignore it since I’d achieved my goals, but looking at the details, that’s absolutely not the case.

“That’s why I asked. I wondered if you had a reason that would make you willing to face an investigation from the academy or imperial agencies.”

While Charlotte has the justification that she went to gather information and evidence, Junon has neither justification nor grounds.

“Also, calculations show that about 26,000 alte left from here. If this was compensation you received… if the purpose of this money isn’t clear, you’d have no defense against accusations of participating in criminal activities.”

Only then did I truly realize who was standing before me.

On the surface, she’s the youngest member of the team who captures everyone’s affection, but inside that small body beats a heart of steel that even paid off the debts her parents left behind.

The person before me is not the shy junior two years younger than me. She’s Charlotte, clearly growing into an adult different from her past self.

That Charlotte, having completed her calculations in that small head, spoke with a voice full of concern.

This was clearly concern and goodwill directed at Junon. It was another outstretched hand of help to someone who had tried to push everything away coldly while saying things he didn’t mean.

It’s not that I dislike goodwill.

But such goodwill should not be accepted.

Remembering former colleagues who had sought me out, the distrust and hatred in their eyes naturally made me distance myself from them.

And I was convinced that distancing myself from them was the right path, the path that wouldn’t hold them back.

But such sincere concern once again twists my firm resolve.

“…The money is for students struggling with tuition.”

“Senior…?”

“Prices are rising, and tuition was suddenly demanded. The students must be in chaos. So I thought the easiest way to get that much money would be to take it from the nobles.”

With her eyes wide open, the girl looked at her senior with a surprised expression, her lips slightly parted.

She had tried to persuade him, but she hadn’t expected such a positive response.

“Is it not enough?”

“Weren’t you… not going to tell me?”

“Originally, yes. But I’ve had a change of heart.”

If I seek cooperation now, this complicated matter will end. Charlotte’s ability to handle matters with secured data is beyond question.

This is just a one-time collaboration. For a win-win result for both sides.

“So what do you think?”

“…The defense itself isn’t difficult. However, it would be unreasonable for you to support their tuition. The academy has a clear regulation limiting tuition sponsors to five to prevent talent monopolization.”

Usually, a negative answer from someone is not a good sign, but a negative answer from Charlotte means you need to listen to what follows.

“Instead, if they were to receive it as payment for working at a trading company, it might be possible.”

If she definitively says it can’t be done, it means she also knows how to make it happen.

***

A few days later.

The confidential data secretly extracted was sufficient to mobilize Tembris, and the gambling den had all its activities exposed by a team that suddenly raided it.

Charlotte took charge of the source of the information. When the existence of slaves, which had been strictly prohibited, was discovered, imperial society was completely turned upside down.

The financial problems of students worried about tuition were also resolved.

And this is the last of it.

“Since the participation intent itself is presumed to be for the purpose of reporting the gambling den, it is difficult to acknowledge the charges. I render a verdict of innocence for student Junon.”

The trial regarding the alleged criminal activities of a certain student also passed without any disciplinary action, bringing an end to matters related to the gambling den.

“You worked hard, Senior Junon.”

“…What hard work?”

Being quietly released was all thanks to whom?

Rarely, the evening sky was painted with a sunset. Perhaps because I was usually going between training and the gambling den, I didn’t often see the sky at this time.

I wonder if sunsets were always this beautiful.

Anyway, my cooperation with Charlotte ends here. Now it’s time to return to how things were before. To that awkward relationship where I avoid entanglements with former colleagues.

As if she had been thinking the same thing, Charlotte spoke to me first.

“Senior. You knew that I paid your tuition, right?”

“…How did you figure that out?”

“It seemed like you had set aside money in advance as if to pay me back. It wasn’t the exact amount, but I thought you were planning to return what I paid with about 10% extra.”

As expected of someone quick with money calculations, she easily found such a loophole.

I was prepared to cut ties decisively if she made any more demands.

But Charlotte had changed as much as that red-tinged sunset.

“Please tell me if there’s anything I can help with. I don’t want to live depending on others, but by cooperating with them.”

…What?

Not dependence but… cooperation?

“D-Did I say something strange? Anyway, you worked hard, Senior!”

Charlotte hurriedly turned her back and climbed into the carriage as if fleeing. When the carriage departed shortly after, the curtains were drawn, so I couldn’t capture her appearance until the end, but…

Clearly, the girl had tears in her eyes before turning her back to me.

And Charlotte, who wanted cooperation rather than dependence, was no longer the youngest member of Tembris that I knew.

“You… remembered too.”

Charlotte, who first experienced a magic outburst and entered Tembris with her guard up.

The youngest member of Tembris wasn’t acknowledged as a child from the beginning.

Only after spending a long time carefully breaking down her shyness and anxiety could I directly awaken her deficiencies, which led to her dependence on team members.

But in my memory, it was far too early for Charlotte to break free from the dependence on the members’ guidance.